Love treadmill running? And you want outdoor running too!
Which one will be the best for you? It is too confusing and frustrating to have this constant debate. You are concerned that you may be choosing the wrong training strategy. You use your time and resources in an ineffective method.
Your fitness goals will be at stake when you try to choose between the safe and comfortable treadmill or the normal outdoor runs.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the benefits of treadmill and outdoor running, separately. When you look at each option, you will be in a perfect position to decide. It is about your goals, your situation, or your preferences.
If you are training for a competition or want to maintain good shape, I will assist you in that. Let’s select the right running approach to achieve your fitness goals.
The Great Outdoors- Nature’s Gym
The most favorite experience of many people is waking up early in the morning. They open the door and start running around the house and into the park nearby. It has been my first love to run outdoors, and for good reasons as this article has highlighted. [1]
1. Running’s the Spice of Life (and Variety)
Among the benefits of outdoor running, the most significant one is to change the view all the time. Every run when you are outside is unique in its way. Sometimes you may be climbing hills in a nearby forest. The next day could be running along the beach in the evening.
This variety does not only make things mentally stimulating but also relaxes your body from stress. The rolling surface challenges all your muscles and enhances your stability and balance.
When I was young I found a trail that I never knew existed right in my backyard. What is a simple morning run, became an exciting run through curves and around streams. That surprise made me realize how much I love running.
I brought back memories of why I started running in the first place.
2. Mother Nature’s Resistance Training
Outdoor running also has its form of resistance training in the form of a gift from nature. This is due to the wind that blows on the cyclist’s body. The different terrains and natural slopes make it harder to bicycle.
All these elements make your body change and can increase endurance and strength in the long run. I remember once I was due to run my normal 5K in the evening when the winds were extremely strong.
By the time I got to the end, my legs felt like they had been through a two-marathon experience. That was challenging but looking at it now, it helped me build lots of stamina. I got mental strength during that run.
3. Vitamin D and Mental Health Boost
We should not ignore the fact that outdoor exercise also helps us to improve our mood. Your body can increase vitamin D during evening sunlight exposure. It is an important nutrient for bone health and the immune system.
Nature runs reduce stress and boost mood. Jogging through blooming parks or leaf-covered trails can feel liberating.
Why Running on a Treadmill Is Key to a Healthier, Fitter You
The Treadmill- Your All-Weather Running Companion
I will always have a soft spot for outdoor running. I have grown to love treadmill running because of the convenience that comes with it. When you have so much on your plate, or the weather is terrible, the treadmill is the best option.
1. Precipitation or No Precipitation, It is Time to Run
The biggest pro of treadmill running is that you can do it in any type of weather. No more excuses like it is too hot, too cold, or rainy to go outside and exercise. For instance, there was a week I was to train outdoors.
A week-long downpour threatened to disrupt my training program but for the treadmill. Instead of missing some important runs, I was also able to continue running. I added some more mileage during the commercial breaks of my favorite television programs.
2. Easy access to Precision Training
Treadmills are the most flexible equipment that one can use in exercising. Which running pace should you try to sustain for your long run? Easy. Want to perform your interval training with perfect adjustments?
No problem. Such control is possible when exercising indoors. It makes it easier to design workouts that may be hard to emulate outside.
When training for a marathon there is no better machine than the treadmill. It is for pace work. The way I set the speed was slightly above my goal race pace. It helped in training my body to maintain the required speed.
It also helped me achieve my goal of getting a personal best when I crossed the finish line.
3. Lower Impact, Faster Recovery
The treadmill has a cushioned surface. It means it will be easier on your joints than the hard surface of the outdoors such as concrete or asphalt. This reduced impact can be particularly helpful if you are an athlete with an injury.
My physio suggested I start doing treadmill runs after I had a severe case of a runner’s knee. He said this way, I would be able to work out without putting too much pressure on my joints. It was this balance that helped me to recover whilst still being able to run for the goals that I had set.
Extend All Type Treadmill’s Life with These Easy Tricks
The Best of Both Worlds- A Mixed Method
Like in many other aspects of life, there is no clear winner between treadmill vs. outdoor running. In my opinion, it is best to combine both.
Weatherproof Your Training
You should use a treadmill where outdoor running isn’t possible due to some reason or the other. This is important as it helps in the consistency of your training schedule. It is irrespective of the prevailing circumstances.
I have benefited from this especially when it is very cold or very hot outside. When doing outside running is not safe, you can run on the treadmill.
Structured workouts Vs Free form runs
Use the treadmill for more traditional workouts where the a need to control speed. Also when incline is important. Use your outdoor runs for those days when you want to be outside. Try new routes, or run without a watch or other technology to tell you how you’re doing.
Race-Specific Training
If you are training for a race, attempt to make the conditions as close as possible to the race as possible. If the race is hilly, then you should incorporate hill work on the treadmill. You should look for a hilly region outside.
For instance, if the course is flat and fast, you would spend more time on the treadmill. It is to practice how to sustain a certain pace.
Listen to Your Body
There are significant differences between running on a natural surface and a treadmill or road. You should try to notice how the body reacts to each of them. Some of the runners believe that they can effectively use the two in an interchange pattern.
This is a bid to reduce the impact that causes overuse injuries.
The Mental Game
Never downplay the role of the mind running. Treadmill runs are perfect for developing mental strength. It’s never fun to run on the same machine day in and day out. Outdoor runs help to bring back the passion for running when it seems to fade away. [2]
Conclusion
So, the best type of running is the one that you’ll practice regularly and feel happy doing it. Some people like to run on treadmills because it is comfortable. They know what they are going to encounter but some like it raw.
They go out and run on the roads, tracks, and other terrains. The most important thing is that you are active and moving towards your fitness goals.
I like to run outside for about 70%, and the remaining 30% of the time I run on the treadmill. This enables me to have the best of both worlds while at the same time making my training more interesting.
I use the treadmill for my interval training as well as for my hill training. I reserve my outdoor running for endurance running and easy jogs.
The next time you put on your running shoes, try and consider what you stand to gain from the run. Is it to hit a given tempo? To clear your mind? To explore your surroundings?
So let your goal be your deciding factor between the treadmill and the great outdoors. And of course, the best run is always the one where you feel confident.
For More Information: Get Fitness
Source:
Admin, P. (2018, June 4). Nature’s Gym; the Great Outdoors – Poplar Union. Poplar Union.
Mateo, A. (2024, April 2). How Effective Is Treadmill Running vs. Outside Running? Runner’s World.
Get~Fitness Author
Diego Alcubierre is a Certified Running Coach (CRC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). With a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Physiology, he specializes in creating evidence-based content on running, strength training, and fitness. Diego's expertise extends to developing tailored training plans that help runners achieve their goals while minimizing injury risk. His knowledge in sports nutrition and functional training enhances his approach to fitness. I hope to provide valuable information that will inspire and guide your wardrobe choices.
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